Jailhouse Deli opens in Mount Clemens

Chantel’s Jailhouse Deli recently opened in downtown Mount Clemens in the place of the former Maya’s Deli -- a longtime downtown favorite lunch spot -- on Macomb Place, about two blocks from the Macomb County Circuit Court Building.

Owner Chantel Clark has changed the delicatessen’s appearance both inside and out, adding decorative jail bars made of PVC pipes on the windows to make it look like an actual jail.

“People really get a kick out of those,” said Clark.

Clark, who grew up in Mount Clemens and now resides in St. Clair County, said the theme is a whimsical tribute to the city’s colorful heyday in the 1920s and ‘30s when it was filled with mineral baths and hotels frequented by celebrities and all-star athletes, underground tunnels and visits from members of the notorious Purple Gang and other characters.

“We wanted to play on the courthouse and judicial system dominating the downtown. We’re going to be putting up some photos and news clips of the city’s rich history to incorporate that whole feeling here,” Clark said.

Clark has a background in the food industry after owning the former Jiggers Bar in Fair Haven for 15 years. She and her former husband also used to operate a machine shop on Avery Street, so she is well-versed in running businesses.

While some unfamiliar with Mount Clemens might misconstrue the bars as security measures, city boosters say the word will soon get out that it’s a play on the past.

Michelle Weiss of the Downtown Development Authority, whose great-grandfather, Samuel DeKay, was a county sheriff in the late 1800s, welcomed the new look.

“Chantel has the right idea, with our downtown being home to the courthouse and all of the lawyers who work down here,” Weiss said. “Mount Clemens is a fun city with a great, rich history and part of that history is the court system, which the county established here in the 1800s.”

Clark plans to name some dishes after various judges and elected officials and is taking nominations. So far, she has named her corned beef-on-rye speciality the Judge Reuben as a play on the Reuben sandwich to get the ball rolling.

Jailhouse Deli is still a work in progress. The eatery opened with a limited menu, but will expand the offerings in the next few weeks along with additional interior enhancements. A grand opening is planned for the week of St. Patrick’s Day in March.

For now, there’s a build-your-own sandwich menu offering various meats including ham, turkey, salami, chicken breast and more, with five cheese selections and seven bread choices. There also are a variety of salads and homemade soups, including crab chowder, and a house speciality called Cheezy Cheeseburger soup. Soups also are available in quarts as a grab-and-go item.

Chantel’s Jailhouse Deli is located at 64 Macomb Place and offers free delivery to businesses within a five-mile radius. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 586-649-7077, or visit them at www.jailhousedeli.com or on Facebook.